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Electricity price jump under Daniel Andrews

Ripon MP Louise Staley, says Daniel Andrews owes Victorians an apology after energy prices increased way beyond the 85 cents per week that he said they would.

Recent Reports from the Australian Energy Market Operator (AEMO) and the Australian Energy Regulator (AER) confirm the poor situation in Victoria.

In November 2016, Daniel Andrews told Victorians the impact of Hazelwood’s closure would be no more than 85 cents per week, however the AER confirms wholesale electricity prices instead have jumped by 85 per cent in 2017 alone.

The AER identified Victoria has lost its energy security as “from mid-2017, Victoria became a net importer of energy for the first time in almost 10 years”.

Despite warning of impending gas supply shortfalls, Victoria desperately relied on a 500 per cent jump in gas generation just to get us through summer.

With Labor stubbornly maintaining its ban on onshore gas, this will exacerbate shortages and trigger further price rises.

Businesses and household in Victoria are paying record prices for their energy but the State still relies on importing power from SA, Tasmania, NSW and Queensland just to keep the lights on.

The Liberals have a plan to tackle gas shortages and high gas prices by allowing the exploration of conventional onshore gas while maintaining the ban on fracking.

Ripon MP Louise Staley said local people were suffering to cover the costs.

“Daniel Andrews stubbornly continues to ignore the energy crisis, while residents are forking out more and more to just to keep the lights on.” Ms Staley said.

“Businesses are struggling to pay their bills and are being forced to increase prices, we need to open up Victoria’s onshore gas to ease rising power prices.”

“Only the Liberals under Matthew Guy have a plan to tackle our gas shortages.”